Vale, Fastnet Rock

Tara Madgwick - Monday September 8

Fastnet Rock was a crowd pleaser when paraded as a living legend at the Coolmore stallion parade last month, but sadly this spring was to be his last. 

Fastnet Rock was pictured at the recent stallion parade with Peter O'Brien - image Georgia Young

Coolmore issued the following statement - Earlier today our much-loved Champion Sire Fastnet Rock was humanely euthanized at Coolmore, his place of birth and home for the past 20 years. In that time, Fastnet Rock forged a legacy that will see him recognized as one of the greatest stallions Australia has ever produced.

Advertisement

“This is such a sad day for everyone who has worked at Coolmore and played a part in Fastnet’s life. Our thoughts today are with all the staff who cared for him over the past 24 years,” said Tom Magnier.

“He was born and prepared as a yearling here at Coolmore and raced in the navy silks for Paul Perry and our ownership partners. Residing in the stallion barn for 20 years, he was the kindest and smartest horse you would ever meet and I’m so glad that we got to parade him one last time at the open day two weeks ago, where he looked incredible. Sadly, he suffered an injury over the weekend, which deteriorated rapidly and we did not want him to suffer. Coolmore Australia would not be what it is today without Fastnet Rock and we owe him so much.”

His legacy is woven into the fabric of racing and breeding, an enduring testament to a once-in-a-lifetime horse.

Fastnet Rock is immortalized at Coolmore forever - RIP 2001 - 2025

Fastnet Rock’s total number of individual Stakes winners stands at 197, including Atlantic Jewel and arguably his greatest ever performer Via Sistina, still flying the flag for him.

Crowned Champion Broodmare Sire for the past two seasons, his legacy will live on through his daughters who have already produced a phenomenal 150 Stakes winners, as well as his sire sons such as Acrobat.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Alabama Lass Can Bounce Back
Trainers Ken and Bev Kelso have been scratching their heads with their Group One-performed mare Alabama Lass over the last few months, but they received a confidence boost following her win in a Group and Listed 1100m trial at Taupo on Sunday.
Sires With Winners - Saturday February 21
Here is the full list of 109 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
That's Gold Delivers Milestone for Kiwi Trainer Chris Wood
Ellerslie’s Saturday meeting proved to be a momentous occasion for Chris Wood, with That’s Gold’s dominant win in the Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) bringing up his 500th training victory in New Zealand.
Zoustar Stallion Keeps the Winners Coming for Cambridge Stud
Talented sprinter I’m All In showed he was back to his best with a gritty performance to take out the final race on an action-packed day at Ellerslie on Saturday, the Horizon By SKYCITY (1200m).
Sires With Winners - Friday February 20
Here is the full list of 61 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
G1 Goals for Trapeze Artist Mare
Talented Trapeze Artist mare Piggyback stormed into contention for autumn staying feature races when she zoomed to the line to win the $250,000 Group III ATC Paramatta Cup (1900m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
Kiwi Group I Winners - Glamour Fillies and Blueblood Mare
Two Group I races were run in New Zealand on Saturday producing an Oaks quinella for Cox Plate winning sire Ocean Park and Yulong, while a Cambridge Stud bred and raced mare claimed her first win at the elite level.
Vale, Reliable Man
Westbury Stud today announced with great sadness the passing of high-class racehorse and outstanding sire Reliable Man, who was humanely euthanised on veterinary advice due to post-surgical complications following the removal of a melanoma.
Streisand Half-Brother to Sell at Inglis Premier
Trainer Clinton McDonald and bloodstock agent Shane McGrath teamed up to win their second G1 Blue Diamond Stakes in three years today with Streisand (Magnus) victorious in the juvenile feature at Caulfield.
200/1 Stakes-Winner – How Does That Happen?
A veteran gelding by a Melbourne Cup hero became an unlikely stakes-winner at odds of 200-1 on Saturday!